Dixie Chicks Biography

The Dixie Chicks are an American country music band, currently comprising of Martie Maguire, Emily Robison and lead singer Natalie Maines. Founded in 1989 in Dallas, Texas, as a more bluegrass-oriented group with Maguire and Robison along with Laura Lynch and Robin Lynn Macy, the group did not achieve mainstream success until Lynch and Macy left and were replaced by lead singer Natalie Maines.

They released their debut album, “Thank Heavens for Dale Evans” in 1990. The group's original membership of Robin Lynn Macy, Laura Lynch, Martie Erwin, and Emily Erwin (whose married names changed to Martie Maguire and Emily Robison), would survive intact for only this album and the following “Little Ol' Cowgirl” in 1992. Neither album produced a charting single.

Their third album, “Shouldn't a Told You That” was released in 1993 and was their third and final album for the Crystal Clear Sound label. It was last to feature singer-bassist Laura Lynch and the first without original member Robin Lynn Macy.

Maines was then recruited to join the group and after her joining, the group signed to Monument Records, releasing their breakthrough album “Wide Open Spaces” in 1998. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and #4 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The album went on to receive diamond status by the RIAA. The single, "I Can Love You Better" reached #7 on the Billboard Country Songs chart. The second single, "There's Your Trouble" became their first #1 hit on the Country Songs chart and their first Top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. "Wide Open Spaces" and "You Were Mine" were both #1 on the Country Songs chart. At the 41st Grammy Awards, the album was awarded Best Country Album and for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the song “There's Your Trouble.”

“Fly” was released in 1999 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Country Albums charts. It was also certified diamond by the RIAA. "If I Fall You're Going Down with Me" was a Top 40 hit on the Hot 100 and reached #3 on the Country Songs chart. Another single, "Some Days You Gotta Dance" reached #7 on the Country Songs chart. They won two Grammy Awards in 2000 for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “Ready to Run” and Best Country Album.

In 2002 “Home” became their second straight album to reach #1 on the Country Albums and Billboard 200 charts. "Long Time Gone" and their cover of Stevie Nicks’ "Landslide" both went to #2 on the Country Songs chart and #7 on the Hot 100. The group was promoting the album when Maines made controversial comments about U.S. President George W. Bush. The album's third single, "Travelin' Soldier," was #1 on the Billboard Country Songs chart the week that Maines' comments hit the press. The following week, as many stations started a still-standing boycott of the Chicks' music, the song collapsed. None of their following singles gained traction with country radio. Despite these events, the album was certified 6× platinum by the RIAA. The album was nominated at the 45th Grammy Awards for six awards, including their second attempt for Album of the Year. The group went home with four in 2003, including Best Country Album, Best Recording Package, Best Country Instrumental Performance for "Lil' Jack Slade" and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Long Time Gone."

“Taking the Long Way” became their third consecutive #1 album on the Billboard 200 and Country Albums charts. "Not Ready to Make Nice" peaked at #7 on the Hot 100 and the album was later certified 2x platinum by the RIAA. It produced five Grammy Award wins, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Song of the Year in February 2007.